Category Archives: l’histoire

mardi gras…

 

 

Nola

I've visited New Orleans three times in my adult life, but never during Mardi Gras, although I had my share of hot toddy's and various other forms of alcohol while visiting, so no judgement! I thought it would be fitting (and slightly ironic)  to write about this magnificent city on the actual day of the celebration, although my advice is to visit at any other time of year. The city has SO much to offer…including some of the best cuisine, music, architecture and history in our country.  Mr. Fleurishing and I hope to take a trip down there at some point, and I will be able to take in the city with him, through a new lens…literally and metaphorically.

 

my philly promise…

 

 

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One of my goals in 2011 is to see more of our great city, Philadelphia! We moved to PA  in March of last year to a charming little town outside of the city, and have been exploring the local countryside which is rich with history and beauty. However, we are close enough to the city to get there more often, and we will! Thanks to new friends, city guides, and local sites, we have quite a list to check off. Here are some of the places I am anxious to see, and more ideas and suggestions are welcome and much appreciated! 


*explore ALL of Old City (shown above)…I have been there a few times and love it!

*visit Reading Terminal Market, with all of it's culture & yummy goodness

*enjoy the amazing restaurants…a long list, but it includes places like Beau Monde, White Dog Cafe, FARMiCiA, Continental Midtown, Capogiro, Parc, Buddakan

*hit all the design stores/spots (besides Marketplace Design Center, where I frequent)

*explore more of Rittenhouse Square, and spend time in the park

*re-discover all the historic sites & museums…and learn about new ones

 

versailles hotel

 

 

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Versailles…such a stunning place, and I will elaborate on my visits there later. I wanted to share that there will be a luxury hotel opening up on the grounds of the palace in 2012! You may have already heard this news, but I am still giddy about it…who wouldn't want to pretend to be Marie Antoinette (or any princess or queen) for a day?! The mansion to be renovated was originally built in the 1680's to house the king's treasurer and family. I suspect it will be a pretty amazing experience to sleep within the gates of Versailles…add it to my long wish list! 


(image via here)


we shall overcome

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I came into this world 11 years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, but his words inspired me greatly as a child, and continue to do so today.  I was so moved by the message and life’s work of King that I wrote and directed a play about his life in my first grade class (I played the role of Coretta Scott King!) He believed in a better America, and in many ways we have lived up to our nation’s original creed, but in my opinion, we still have far to go. The day that Obama was inaugurated, I cried happy tears. For obvious reasons, and because it renewed my belief that our nation will someday embrace the true meaning of these words, and be accepting of ALL.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

image source

notre dame…

 

 

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Believe it or not, I still have more photos and adventures to share with you about our trip! Hopefully you aren't feeling like it's the slideshow that never ends (like my parents did when we returned). I'm running out of ways to tell you what an amazing time we had! 

No trip to Paris is complete for me without a visit to Notre Dame, and this time I focused on studying the exterior and capturing some alternate angles in my photos. I was disappointed to find things had been more commercialized inside…it really takes away from the reverant and awesome nature of it all. Still, I am always moved by the history and grandeur…incredible.